The spotlight will shine on Theoren Fleury when he makes his return to the Saddledome, as his bid to make the Flames begins Thursday when Calgary takes on the New York Islanders in pre-season action.

The diminutive forward will see NHL action for the first time in six years, as he's looking to earn a spot on the Calgary roster after being reinstated to active status by the league last week.

"I have to earn everything again and I'm OK with that," Fleury said. "I'm here to try and make a really good team that has a really good chance to do some good stuff this year."

Theoren Fleury Career Statistics

1988-2003

GP

G

A

P

PIM

Regular Season

1084

455

633

1088

1840

Playoffs

77

34

45

79

116

The five-foot-six forward from Oxbow, Sask., was suspended indefinitely during the 2002-03 season for violating the league's substance abuse policy. At 41, the fan-favourite is trying to make a comeback with the team where he began his career and spent 11 seasons.

"Everyone tells me the game is better. I want to know for a fact that it is," Fleury said. "Hopefully I still belong."

Fleury is No. 2 on Calgary's all-time scoring list, with 830 points. Flames captain Jarome Iginla is first with 851.

Florida Panthers at Montreal Canadiens

Habs fans will have their first chance to get familiar with all the new faces as the revamped Canadiens make their pre-season debut against the Panthers at the Bell Centre.

Those new faces include Jacques Martin behind the Montreal bench, and he's taking no time in getting his big guns on the ice, as newcomers Scott Gomez, Mike Cammalleri, and Jaroslav Spacek are expected to play along with holdovers Andrei Kostitsyn and Andrei Markov.

Vancouver Canucks at Anaheim Ducks

Canucks goalie Roberto Luongo will see his first pre-season action as Vancouver visits the Ducks.

Luongo is expected to play half the game, while forwards Ryan Kesler, Kyle Wellwood, and defencemen Sami Salo, Kevin Bieksa will also see playing time.

Philadelphia Flyers at Toronto Maple Leafs

The Leafs showed that they'll be tougher to push around this season when they got into a few scraps with Boston on Wednesday, and now they get to show their fighting spirit to the bullies from Broad Street when they take on the Flyers in London, Ont.

It will be the first time the Leafs have played in the Forest City in 30 years.